The Lagos State Government has adviced residents to avoid indiscriminate waste disposal in order to ensure clean environment during the Christmas and New Year celebrations as the Lagos State Waste Management Authority, LAWMA, vowed to ensure 24 hour waste evacuation operations throughout the period.
The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tunji Bello made the urge while speaking with journalists recently.
He urged residents to take charge of their environment during the celebrations, adding that the government is doing all to address the scourge of climate change in the state.
“We embarked on a comprehensive all-year-round cleaning and maintenance dredging of drainage channels/canals and construction of new drainage, and these projects paid off.
“Some states were unfortunately devastated by floods this year, Lagos despite its peculiarities as a coastal state with low-lying terrains and a high population density among others coped well.”
Meanwhile, LAWMA has lamented the high rate of refuse pilling up in the state, particularly around markets due to shoppers who have continued to come out in large numbers.
The Director General of the agency, Ibrahim Odumboni has assured that the entire operational machinery of the agency has been fully mobilised to achieve smooth and seamless evacuation activities during the period.
He also assured residents that LAWMA has put in place adequate measures to respond to the challenge in terms of carting away all wastes and refuse promptly that may be generated during the period.
“To achieve maximum result and effective waste evacuation, I have directed over 120 LAWMA waste trucks and 1000, Private Sector Participant, PSP, operators, on a 24 hour operations.
“The measure has become necessary in view of the high rate of waste been generated at this period due to yuletide and the insecurity in the eastern part of the country which has forced many indigenes, the Ndigbo in Lagos from travelling out of the state against the usual trend.
“The effect has led to overwhelming waste generation in Lagos. The black spots are major markets such as: Oshodi, Idumota, Alaba, Mushn, Mile-12, Adeniji Adele, Marina, among others which have witnessed upsurge in patronage. These has led to corresponding waste generation in these areas.
“The 24 hours directive is also to ensure that refuse are promptly evacuated.” Odumboni said.
He urged motorists to drive with utmost caution to avoid untoward incidents, as the highway sweepers would be busy on their duty routes, as usual.
Odumboni added that LAWMA had also partnered with relevant stakeholders, such as community development areas, market associations and religious organisations, to educate residents on the importance of proper waste disposal and to encourage the use of recycling facilities.
“We urge residents to cooperate with our personnel and to properly dispose of their waste appropriately. We also encourage the use of reusable bags and containers, to curtail littering and indiscriminate waste dumping,” Odumboni said.
In addition to those measures, he said the authority had also mandated PSP operators to provide satisfactory service delivery to tenements, during and after the festivities, to ensure that waste is properly collected and disposed of.
The LAWMA boss assured residents that the agency would continue to work tirelessly to maintain the cleanliness of the state, advising motorists to drive with care, to safeguard the lives of sanitation workers on major roads.
“We want everyone to have a safe and enjoyable holiday, and we are committed to ensuring that the state remains clean and free of litter,” he said.
